• 1. HIGHLIGHTS
• 2. SECURITY
• 3. AIR OPERATIONS
• Passenger:
• Cargo:
• Personnel:
• Supplies of aviation fuel:
• 4. SEA PORT OPERATIONS
• Handling Equipment Spares:
• 5. BORDER CROSSING, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION
• 6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (Roads, Bridges, Rail, Ports, Airports, Warehouse)
• 7. LOGISTICS COORDINATION
• 8. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION
• 9. FUEL (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene)
• 10. LIBERIA UNJLC STAFF

1. HIGHLIGHTS

Handling equipment spare parts needed at Monrovia Freeport will be provided by both WFP and the US Military Joint Task Force (JTF) procurement. WFP procurement is complete while JTF purchase is being finalised. UNJLC is co-ordinating the process.

Aviation fuel is now available at Roberts International Airport (RIA). Additional supplies are expected.

A WFP Air Service AN-24 passenger aircraft with parcel cargo capability is expected to begin service on 15th September.

Information on both Monrovia Freeport procedures and infrastructure is now available from the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).

2. SECURITY

Security remains at UN Phase 4 in Monrovia, while the rest of the country is Phase 5.

Fighting between LURD and Government forces was reported on 9th September in Kakata, on the main north/south highway, approximately 43 miles from Monrovia.

UNSECOORD FSCO: Andrei Bobylev, +377 47 529 616

UN Liberia Communications Centre: +377 47 559 430

3. AIR OPERATIONS

The move towards a Common Air Service for Liberia continues:

Passenger:

The WFP Air Service AN-24 (48 passengers and small parcel cargo) is due to arrive in Abidjan on 11th September. It is now scheduled to begin operations on 15th September. A preliminary schedule has been presented to the UN Liberia Country Team Meeting outlining a regular AN-24 service between Abidjan, Monrovia, and Freetown, with flights to Conakry as and when required. Presently, the WFP LET-410 (on loan from WFP Guinea) continues to link Monrovia and Abidjan. Upon the start of AN-24 services, the LET-410 will return to its regular operations in Guinea.

Contacts: for Passenger Bookings:

Liberia: For LET-410 Gregory Blamo, +377 47 512 077, For AN-24 Stig Larsson, +377 47 530 092 (until 15th Sep) Carole Harris, +377 47 530 092 (from 15th Sep)
Cote d’Ivoire: Emmanuel Jarry, +225 05 06 3781
Sierra Leone: Rosemary Parnell, rosemary.parnell@wfp.org

Cargo:

The AN-12 cargo aircraft currently in service was scheduled to end operations on 9th September. However, engine problems resulted in its grounding at Conakry from 6th September. Currently awaiting spares, the AN-12 will resume service only to transport outstanding bookings (51.5kg in Conakry, and a World Vision consignment in Freetown) before ending operations. As a result no further cargo bookings are being taken. The reactivation of a dedicated cargo service will depend on future analysis of needs and the availability of commercial options. However, small parcel cargo will be carried by the AN-24 and bookings should be made through the contacts above.

Personnel:

Stig Larsson, WFP Air Service Co-ordinator, will complete his temporary duty in Liberia and return to Dubai on 15th September. He will be succeeded in Monrovia by:

Carole Harris: Flight Booking Officer, +377 47 530 092 (arrival 10th September)
Victor Cole: Air Transport Officer, +377 47 531 423, victor.cole@wfp.org (in place)

Supplies of aviation fuel:

Supplies are now available at Roberts International Airport (RIA). At time of writing around 50,000 gallons of fuel were stored at the airport with further deliveries planned. Total aviation fuel storage capacity at the airport is estimated at approximately 320,000 US gallons.

In the period between 26th August and 7th September UNJLC has facilitated the receipt of 175.034MT of humanitarian aid (132.534MT food aid, and 42.5MT NFIs). In the current reporting period, inbound cargo has consisted of daily deliveries of both sugar and CSB.

UNJLC has acquired AIS information on the 20 main airfields in Liberia. However, this information dates from 1998 and, until the security situation permits fresh assessments, this information cannot be verified. Full details can be found on the UNJLC website

4. SEA PORT OPERATIONS

On 4th September UNJLC chaired a meeting of WFP, the National Port Authority (NPA), and the US Military Joint Task Force (JTF) to ascertain the current status of rehabilitation efforts at the Freeport.

Handling Equipment Spares:

Of the list of machinery spare parts submitted by NPA, WFP has procured those items it agreed to purchase and has the items stored in Monrovia. JTF are in the process of procuring the remaining items on the NPA list, and a follow up meeting on 5th September confirmed the absence of overlap or gaps between the WFP and JTF procurement. WFP and NPA agreed to meet to discuss the modalities for the handover of procured items. UNJLC is co-ordinating the process.

• Generator Spares: JTF also stated their willingness to attempt the procurement of spares needed to reactivate the port’s two generators.
• Radio Communications: VHF communications are also required at the port and it was agreed that NPA would submit a detailed list of needs to JTF for possible action.
• Office Supplies: Basic office supplies are required by the port to facilitate normal operations. To date a donor has not been identified.

• Tides and Winds: Prevailing winds W to SW. Tides rise and fall 0.61-1.19 m.
• Approach: The approach channel is 2438m long and 152.4m wide, dredged to 14.93m at MLW. Channel inside breakwaters to the turning basin 14.32m at MLW. Approach to ore piers is 13.71m at MLW.
• Anchorage: Recommended anchorage is up to 1 nautical mile from the south of the buoyed channel, depth 14-19m, which provides good holding ground on a snad and mud bottom. Vessels are not anchored with in the inner harbour except for a very short period of time.
• Pilotage: Compulsory. Daylight hours only (aids to navigation unlit). Since the recent conflict there have been no radio communications at the Port, however procurement of VHF is being investigated. Once radio is present, communication will be on VHF channel 16.
• Towage: Compulsory at the discretion of the pilot. Tugboat ‘Bushrod Island’ of 2 x 1740hp.
• Accommodation: Monrovia Freeport has four piers and one main wharf. Three of the wharf’s four berths are operational, while the capsized vessel Torm Alexandra occupies the fourth. The capacity of the LMC pier is currently reduced due to the presence of the embargoed vessel Aqua Sierra on its south side. Attempts are underway to gain authorisation from the Liberian courts to tow the vessel to another location within the port in order to maximise available space.

Dimensions

Elevations Above Main Low Water (MLW), Spring Tide

NPA Deputy Managing Director, Administration: John Smythe, +377 47 515 050

NPA Deputy Managing Director, Operations: Vivian Cooke, +377 47 512 266

NPA Port Manager: Romeo Clark, +377 47 513 534

NPA Harbour Master a.i: CPT Williams, +377 47 557 343

NPA Pilot: CPT Baci, +377 47 518 511

ECOMIL Port Commander: CPT Akinwade (Nigeria), +377 47 530 198

5. BORDER CROSSING, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

UNJLC has instigated a customs and immigration survey for Liberia and are working in close co-operation with the former Commissioner for Customs in order to compile a detailed overview of the current system.

Duty free status for humanitarian organisations importing cargo into Liberia can be secured through the procedures below, which refer to imports through the Freeport of Monrovia. However, with only slight variances, they apply to cargo entering through RIA or land borders (once open):

• International Humanitarian Organisations, once registered with the Government of Liberia, are eligible for duty free status. Other than an initial one off registration fee of US$5, no charges are incurred.
• National Humanitarian Organisations are also eligible for duty free status. Registration of the organisation’s duty free status costs US$5. In addition, $100 per bill of lading is charged on duty free humanitarian imports, and an extra US$50 per bill of lading for ‘Special Release’ of humanitarian imports
• To Register for Duty Free Status:

1. A letter to the Chief of Protocol/Deputy Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting registration as an international humanitarian organisation, is written by the requesting organisation.
   Chief of Protocol: Adolphus During, +377 47 514 980
   Deputy Chief of Protocol: Emmet Kennedy
   
2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will inform the Justice Ministry (Immigration and Police) and the Finance Ministry (Customs). Registration will be conferred.
3. A documentation fee of US$5 is charged.
   

• Once Registered: Importing Humanitarian Goods Duty Free:

1. 
   International Humanitarian Organisations can import Humanitarian Goods duty free in two ways: a Standard Procedure, or by ‘Special Release’. For both procedures no charges are levied either on goods or in way of processing fees. The Agent appointed to custom clear and forward the cargo will oversee the process, however the steps are:
   

• Standard Procedure:

1. At the Freeport, the normal customs document is filled out as with a commercial consignment.
   
2. An ‘Application for Duty Free Delivery of Imported Goods’ form is also filled in.
   
3. Both forms are forwarded to the Bureau of Concessions, the Director of Duty Free, and the Commissioner of Customs for signing. All of the above are situated away from the Port on Turf Row in Monrovia itself.
   
4. Both forms return to the Customs Collector at the Freeport (Larogou Lolemun, +377 47 517 408) for signing off and release of goods. The whole process is estimated at up to 7 days.
   
5. For those organisations other than International Humanitarian Organisations that have full or partial duty free status (National NGOs/Concession companies) the procedure will cost US$100 per bill of lading. No charge is levied on registered International Humanitarian Organisations.
   

• Special Release:

1. For urgent processing of humanitarian cargo, a ‘Special Release’ can be obtained.
   
2. A letter is written by the Consignee/Consignee’s Agent to the Deputy Minister of Revenues (Juanitta Neal) who, in conjunction with the Commissioner for Customs (Fatu Gittens White) will provide the Port Collector with authority to release the cargo.
   
3. The process is estimated at around one working day.
   
4. For those organisations other than International Humanitarian Organisations that have full or partial duty free status (National NGOs/Concession companies) the procedure will cost an additional US$50 per bill of lading on top of the US$100 standard customs clearance processing fee. No charge is levied on registered International Humanitarian Organisations.

Liberian Customs Structure is as follows:

Minister of Finance

Deputy Minister of Revenue
Juanitta Neal

Assistant Minister
George Howe

Commissioner of Customs
Fatu Gittens White

Director of Duty Free
(James Benson)

6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (Roads, Bridges, Rail, Ports, Airports, Warehouse)

7. LOGISTICS COORDINATION

The fourth weekly Joint Logistics Meeting was held at 11.00 hours in the HOC, ground floor of the WFP building. Key concerns of those attending were apparent irregularities in Customs, the high price of fuel, and the potential lack of trucking once the interior becomes accessible and movement of commodities becomes possible.

The weekly delivery of UNJLC maps was distributed. New maps now available include North-West Liberia, Liberian Population Movement, and Monrovia Port. All maps can be downloaded from the UNJLC website

8. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION

ECOMIL is now in finalising its deployment with the deployment of its fourth Battalion (composite Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, and Togo). This will allow a broadening of ECOMIL’s presence towards the IDP camps and the creation of a more secure environment for the execution of humanitarian operations.

Rumours of fighting between LURD and Government forces north of Totota have led to large scale IDP movements down the main highway from Totota towards Monrovia. The ECOMIL Force Commander subsequently decided to deploy to the Kakata area at Battalion strength in order to provide security for humanitarian aid being transported to the IDPs. Deployment began on 8th September and is likely to be finalised by 13th September. It is hoped that by ensuring the secure delivery of humanitarian aid to those in the Kakata/Salala area will minimise further displacement towards Monrovia.

The United Nations Civil-Military Liaison Officer has compiled a list of vehicles looted from humanitarian organisations during the recent conflict. The list has been forwarded to the Liberian Minister of Defence, LURD, and the ECOMIL Force Commander, requesting their assistance in the recovery of the vehicles.

A joint (ECOMIL,UNHCR,WFP) evaluation of security management and execution at the IDP camps in the Seighbe area took place on 8th September in order to optimise its effectiveness.

Regular contacts between ECOMIL and the United Nations Civil-Military Liaison officer continue to take place.

ECOMIL Emergency Response HOTLINE: +377 47 530 172/530 173

ECOMIL Force Commander – Brigadier General Festus Okonkwo, Nigeria.

Chief of Operations – Colonel Mark, Nigeria: +377 47 523 675

Civil-Military Co-ordination Officer – Lt Col Logonda, Togo: +377 47 529 882

UN Civil-Military Co-ordination – Willy Peerens: +377 47 530 434

WFP Civil-Military Co-ordination – Albert Fiawosime: +377 47 530 209

UNHCR Civil-Military Co-ordination – Ian Hall: +377 47 530 180

US Civil Affairs Officer, Major Philip Spangler, has left the theatre of operations.

9. FUEL (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene)

The exchange rate to the US$ remained stable during the reporting period at L$57.

10. LIBERIA UNJLC STAFF

David Pittfield: david.pittfield@wfp.org pittfield@hotmail.com Mobile: +377 47 530 093
Matthew Dee: matthew.dee@wfp.org m_dee99@yahoo.com Mobile: +377 47 530 187
Stig Larsson: stig.larsson@wfp.org airopsconsult@hotmail.com Mobile: +377 47 530 092
Victor Cole: victor.cole@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 531 423

UNJLC Offices are located on the ground floor of the WFP building, UN Drive, Mamba Point, Monrovia.